Phoenix break school mark; Mashburn gets win No. 100
Sonoraville’s Walraven scores 33 to help program, coach to milestone night
It was a milestone kind of night at Sonoraville on Friday as the boys team saw a school record fall, and they gave their coach a landmark victory all at the same time.
The Phoenix put together a complete offensive and defensive effort to roll to a 79-52 victory over Adairsville and set the single-season record for wins with 15 as well as hand head coach Brent Mashburn his 100th career victory.
“It’s special,” said Mashburn of No. 100. “To do it here on our home court and also do it with this group and the season we’re having makes it even more special. It just gives you a chance to look back at all the kids that you’ve coached and be proud. It’s a compliment to every kid that’s ever put on that jersey since we started the program from ground level.
“And that’s another good spot to be in to break the single-season wins mark only 17 games into the season,” added Mashburn. ‘This is a special group. They really enjoy being around each other, they do whatever the team needs and they play hard. That’s a good combination for a team to have success.”
The Phoenix ( 15- 2, 8- 0 Region 6-AAA) led 31-19 at the half over Adairsville before really cranking things up from there, especially on the offensive end. They outscored the Tigers 18-15 in the period, including a 7-0 run late in the third to really put the game out of reach. They then finished things off by putting up 30 in the fourth as several players from up and down the roster contributed to the big night.
“I felt like the first half we won on effort,” said Mashburn. “We guarded well enough and got a little cushion, but we didn’t make a whole lot of shots. I told them at the half that if we bring that same kind of effort, the shots would start to fall. Once we saw the ball go in the basket a few times, we finished the game off very well. That was against a very good basketball team in Adairsville too. Our guys answered the challenge well tonight.”
Wil Walraven had a stellar night to lead the charge with a career-high 33 points, including six 3-pointers. He took control of the game in the second half as he scored 11 in the third and added nine more in the fourth, all on three made 3’s.
“(Wil) is a really talented kid,” said Mashburn. “Whatever look that is, he had that look tonight. He wanted the ball, and he knew what he was going to do with it. I don’t think there is a lot (Adairsville) could’ve done to stop him. But that’s what he does...he challenges the defense in so many different ways. He made 3’s, drove it to the basket, hit some runners and made free throws. It was a really impressive effort from him tonight.”
Bryce Waters and Noah Cunningham each added 11 apiece to compliment the impressive offensive output. Brad Wilson added nine, including an uncommon fourpoint play on a made 3-pointer and subsequent free throw after being fouled. Tavian Reynolds also contributed eight.
For Adairsville (10-7, 4-4), Ethan Belcher was the lone player to reach double figures with 11. Cody Henderson added eight, and Cole Hewatt contributed six on a pair of treys.
The win kept the Phoenix unbeaten in region play and right alongside four- time defending region champion Calhoun, who are also 7-0 in the region. The two rivals squared off on Tuesday night at Calhoun. (For details on that game, see Saturday’s Calhoun Times.) Despite having a non-region contest on Saturday at Southeast Whitfield before the big showdown, Mashburn said his team was ready to see what would take place on the court on Tuesday.
“We’ve played everyone in the region so far except Calhoun, and we’re both undefeated so far so wee look forward to the challenge,” said Mashburn. “We know they are a really good team and playing there won’t be easy, but it should be a really good atmosphere and huge crowd and a fun game. Those are the kind you look forward to as a player.”